Monday, September 16, 2013

BMC mulls new policy

Cell towers: BMC mulls new policy

MUMBAI: After finalising the draft policy on the installation of mobile
towers, the civic body is now considering making modifications to it
based on the revised guidelines issued by the Union department of
telecommunications (DoT) on August 1.
A major addition to the DoT guidelines was making it mandatory for
service providers to get an NOC from the building’s owner or the housing
society every time the mobile tower’s contract is renewed. While the
BMC’s draft policy mandates companies getting consent from occupants of
the topmost floors of buildings, the provision of obtaining an NOC from
70% of residents is a onetime condition.

“As the guidelines have been revised, we are studying how the new
provisions can be incorporated into the policy,” said municipal
commissioner Sitaram Kunte. The policy is expected to be finalised in
fifteen days, after which it will be put before the civic standing
committee and the civic general body for approval.
Experts said civic authorities should adopt a city-centric view
while finalising the policy “The DoT guidelines are made with respect to
the country. The BMC should consider city-specific aspects such as its
population density and practices before installing towers,” said
Jitendra Gupta, an activist.